Twenty-four Years since we said I Do ...

And so, the Builder and I have now been married twenty-four years. We celebrated our anniversary last week. He was in Aviemore. I was in Ness. But still .... we celebrated twenty-four years of God's goodness.

Here's a bit of a run down on these years:

1991

We became Mr & Mrs. It had been a long time coming, in some ways. After all, we'd known each other for at least ten years, but I'm slow on the uptake, and I'd only realised the previous year that this guy was a keeper. He would be better as more than 'just good friends', and I'd do well to grab him as a husband and friend.

1992

I can't remember much that happened in this year. Our first full year of marriage must have been really exciting, eh?

1993

I graduated from Glasgow University at week 40+5. 

Thankfully, DR decided to begin a good old Morrison tradition of being late, and stayed safely tucked up until week 40+ 10. 

He's always been a considerate child.

Pictured here a couple of years later, at my brother's wedding. I loved a man in a kilt then, and I still have that love affair going.

1994

We had our car, a Vauxhall Cavalier, stolen from outside church one Friday evening, and the car was written off by the Glasgow neds who stole it.

The silver lining was that we were forced into getting a car that was actually reliable :)

1995

Our first daughter was born on Mothering Sunday of this year. 

Yep, she's a girl. Honest.

1996

I'm drawing a blank on 1996. Life was busy with my 1 year old daughter and 3 year old son, and another baby on her way. Apart from the general fun and games that go along with life in the fast lane as a mother, I cannot think of anything out of the ordinary.

Never mind that he had his own bed, DR as often as not would end up in the cot with Catherine.

Such precious memories

1997

Our second daughter was born on Mothering Sunday of this year. No kidding. Two years apart. Two daughters. Two Mothering Sundays. 

Beat that for Mother's Day gifts!

1998, 1999

There is nothing of significance that I can remember in 1998, nor in 1999. DR would have begun school in Glasgow, and I do remember how I felt about that (in the days when we'd never heard of such a thing as homeschooling! Remember the days before internet? Aye, it's hard to imagine life now without the good ol' World Wide Web!)

2000

This was when the homeschooling journey began for me. I began with trepidation, convinced of my inability, yet knowing this is what God meant for the children He'd given us. This journey is still ongoing. I am still convinced of my inability, and yet God's goodness has been, and still is, overwhelming.

2001

Mum and I visited Canada. Mum wanted to visit some relatives in London, Ontario and in Vancouver. My dad will not fly, so I was landed with the hardship of accompanying Mum to CANADA (sorry, but I love, love, love that country, and it's kinda hard for me just to say the name without squealing excitedly. Very unnerving for those around me.)

Have y'all read the story behind this photo, taken in Stanley Park, Vancouver? No? Oh you must! Read about it here.

Amazing, eh?!

2002

My sister, Marina, married in the Autumn of this year, 

and we all got spruced up for the day. Just one thing to say here: Isn't Katie so cuh-UTE!

2003

We were blessed with our precious Wee Guy.

(ignore the date on the photo: it's wrong!)

2004

We first met our dear friends, Alex and Elsie in the summer of this year. If you haven't read the story of our first meeting, you can read it here.

2005

We moved into our new house in the summer of this year, on the eve of DR's 13th birthday.

2006

We had a wonderfully cold and sunny spell in winter. The kids loved having snow - real snow!

2007

The vegetable growing bug bit. Big style. Do y'all remember my love affair with The Plot? It all began this year, and I hope to resurrect it in the not-too-distant future.

2008

We visited the USA for the first time. It was our first 'real' family holiday, and one we will never forget.

Our adventure began in Ontario. It really was an adventure, and one we will never forget, nor regret.

It was strange for us to realise that people actually knew what Homeschoolers were, far less to have them welcome us!

It was such an amazing experience, creating memories we will never regret making.

2009

We carried on our November 5th tradition of a family bonfire.

This kind of sums up how the cousins felt about the night, and how they feel about each other.

2010

Our garage went on fire, so what could one do but send Calum with some cakes to our lovely, helpful firefighters.

That event resulted in D.R. joining our local Fire Service. As you can see from the photo, it's about slightly more than just cake-eating ...

2011

The difference between my other four kids and Jackson is that with the first four, labour came first and then the babies came. With Jackson .... he came first, and then the labour (of love) began. And continued.

2012

Big Brother celebrated a significant birthday, surrounded by his adoring fan club.

and I visited London for the first time ever and fell completely in love with the city.

D.R. and Catherine also visited Canada and America in 2012, and stayed with this wonderful family in Toronto. Once again, this blog has resulted in us meeting such lovely people.

2013

West Coast Americans visited, and shared the warmest week of our year with us.

2014

Catherine got engaged to 'her John'. This one act, taking place on the last day of 2014, has been what has governed so much of what has happened in our lives this year.

2015

Well, where can I begin with 2015?! 

The Builder began his new work on the mainland.

...and the bike was the most-cared-for item to be packed.

We put our house up for sale, and have recently accepted an offer for the house.

And wedding plans .... are going full pelt.

Here we were, waiting for Catherine to appear in a wedding dress. 

Oh, the anticipation!

And then the delight!

It sure hasn't been a year to dawdle!

~      ~      ~

Thank you, my darling, for saying 'I do', and for being more to me than you'll ever know..... even though I tell you. Frequently.